The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, has launched a blistering attack on the political establishment in the state, declaring that Rivers people will reject any attempt to impose a governor on them in the 2027 election.
Pidomson, in an interview on his campaign preparations and the political battle ahead, said the election would not be a contest between individuals or political blocs but a referendum by Rivers people on who should govern the state.
He declared: “The 2027 election is not just between Pidomson and the others. It is going to be Rivers people versus others.”
Taking a direct swipe at the political camp associated with former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Pidomson said the state was not the property of any individual or political group.
“Rivers State is nobody’s private estate. It is our common patrimony,” he declared.
Pidomson also dismissed the growing influence of the Rainbow Coalition, boasting that the ADC would “eclipse their rainbow” in the governorship contest.
“On the so-called Rainbow Coalition, well, they have the right to boast everywhere. I can assure you that the real people are not with them. And we shall eclipse their rainbow next year,” he said.
The ADC candidate alleged that Rivers people were “morally angry” over what he described as the domination of the state by one political figure, insisting that the electorate was ready for a change.
He challenged Wike’s political camp to point to projects the former governor had attracted to Rivers since becoming FCT minister.
“As a minister of the FCT, tell me one project that Nyesom Wike has brought to the state,” Pidomson said.
He further alleged that appointments made by Wike had largely benefited his political associates.
Pidomson said his campaign had already undertaken consultations across the state and engaged different ethnic groups, claiming that the consultations had revealed a strong desire for a government that would be “responsive and responsible.”
He said his 10-point policy agenda was designed around the welfare of Rivers people, insisting: “They cannot rig us out”.
Pidomson also issued a strong warning against electoral manipulation, declaring that the ADC would deploy agents across polling units to monitor the voting and collation processes.
“Our agents will be at red alert to monitor the units across the state,” he said.
He urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots until results were announced. That way, it will be impossible for them to rig us out,” he said.
Pidomson urged Rivers voters not to be intimidated by any political force, insisting that the 2027 election would mark a departure from what he described as the imposition of candidates against the wishes of the electorate.
He said: “The votes of the people will count. The vote will be protected. No amount of rigging will prevail in the state.”
The ADC candidate also condemned reported restrictions on political activities by some local government chairmen in the state.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to ensure that citizens and political parties were allowed to exercise their constitutional rights.
“It is therefore unlawful, unconstitutional and barbaric for anybody, no matter how politically placed, to stop anyone from participating or organising political activities in any part of the state,” he said.
Pidomson alleged that members of the ruling APC had disrupted some of the ADC’s activities and urged security agencies to investigate such incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable.
On the reported opposition of some Ogoni leaders to his candidacy, Pidomson expressed confidence that the electorate would not necessarily follow the positions of political leaders.
“The so-called leaders you are talking about are just a handful of those who have benefitted from this current system. They cannot sway the position or choice of the people,” he said.
He claimed that the ADC had a strong structure across Rivers and insisted that his political support cut across ethnic lines.
“The entire Rivers people are my structures,” he declared and urged voters to collect any inducement offered to them during the campaign but vote according to their conscience.
“They will come to bribe you with money, collect it but vote for ADC,” he said.
He maintained that his campaign was prepared for the 2027 contest, adding that he had been working towards occupying the Brick House since 2014.
“I am intellectually, emotionally and physically prepared,” he said.
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